I met Ernest Swanson — or as I call him, Erny — back in the year 2000 at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). We were both students, just navigating life, and met through mutual friends in the student dorms. I still remember the first time I met him — I was in his dorm room with some friends. None of us had any idea where life would take us. Back then, we weren’t talking about art or culture — we were just friends hanging out, playing Street Fighter II in my dorm room with our other buddy Jinn.

Years later, things began to shift. Around 2006 to 2008 — the same time I was starting Capulet Art — Erny began creating Haida jewelry. I was amazed by the direction his life had taken. He was channeling his heritage through his hands, crafting work that was not only beautiful but deeply meaningful. That’s when our friendship naturally evolved into something more — a creative partnership built on respect and shared purpose.

One memory that’s stuck with me over the years: Erny used to call me when there was a fish run — a tradition where Haida guys would fill up the back of a truck with freshly caught fish and drive down to the Haida Centre on Hastings Street in Vancouver. We’d line up with a bunch of others, waiting for the truck to arrive. It wasn’t just about the fish — it was about the community, generosity, and connection. That’s always stayed with me, and to this day, I think it reflects a lot of what Ernest’s art — and our friendship — is about.